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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:50.0pt;font-family:"Avenir LT Std 55 Roman",sans-serif">NEWS RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Avenir LT Std 55 Roman",sans-serif">For Immediate Release Date: 05/27/2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Avenir LT Std 55 Roman",sans-serif">Contact: Public Information Office Phone: (919) 560-0000/Fax: (919) 560-0020<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<b>E-mail</b>: <a href="mailto:publicinformationoffice@dconc.gov">publicinformationoffice@dconc.gov</a>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Avenir LT Std 55 Roman",sans-serif">Howerton Appointed to NACo Working Group on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Avenir LT Std 55 Roman",sans-serif">Durham, N.C. –
</span></b><span style="font-family:"Avenir LT Std 55 Roman",sans-serif">T</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir LT Std 55 Roman",sans-serif;color:black">he National Association of Counties (NACo) recently convened a new working group of county
leaders to explore county efforts and initiatives related to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in local communities and to advise the organization on the best ways to expand resources and programming for county leaders. Durham County Commission
Chair Brenda Howerton has been appointed to join this exploratory working group by Matt Chase, CEO/Executive Director of NACo.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir LT Std 55 Roman",sans-serif;color:black">“I am excited for the opportunity to join other county officials on this DEI Working Group”, Howerton said. “As we serve our residents, it is critical
that we value diversity and govern with a lens of equity and inclusion in every policy and program we deliver.”</span><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Avenir LT Std 55 Roman",sans-serif;color:#333333;background:white">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir LT Std 55 Roman",sans-serif;color:#333333;background:white">Counties play a critical role in building vibrant communities for all individuals. To ensure all residents have what they need
to achieve their fullest potential, county leaders are taking actions to integrate diversity, equity and inclusion into county operations. This
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir LT Std 55 Roman",sans-serif;color:black">DEI Working Group
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir LT Std 55 Roman",sans-serif;color:#333333;background:white">of county leaders will help develop solutions to improve outcomes and strengthen America's counties.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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